Christmas Gifts for Everyone

I usually like to do themed Christmas gifts - last year I got everyone snow globes that I put pictures inside and recorded their favorite songs, and the year before my sister-in-law was pregnant, so I got everyone mugs with "World's Best _______" (Dad, Mom, G-Ma, G-Pa, etc.).

This year I'm thinking DVD gift baskets. I'm addicted to Pinterest and got the idea from there, so I take no personal credit for this, but it's a cool idea. I'm going to put their favorite candies and other stuff in a basket, along with a DVD.

Mom and Dad's - popcorn, dots, 3 musketeers, reese's, snickers, diet coke, pepsi, True Grit, Jesus thing

Justin, Kristin, the boys - popcorn, twizzlers, snickers, reese's, twix, Dr. Pepper, Mt. Dew, 2 juice boxes, Mission Impossible 2, Ace Ventura, movie for the boys?

Nathan - popcorn, snickers, reese's, 3 musketeers, The Other Guys

I need to get 3 baskets, Justin and Kristin's need to be a little bigger. And I think I'd like to make a little homemade snack, too. I'm thinking... pretzel/kiss/m&m combo - another idea from Pinterest <3 I also need to think of movies for everyone. I'll probably be editing this when I do.

*EDIT*

For my friends: Rainbow cake inside ice-cream cones, and baggies filled with pretzel/kiss/m&m and pretzels dipped in white chocolate - looks like snow. Also like to put the latter two into the movie baskets... I'm doing this friends gifts for... 8, maybe 9 ppl <3

Get Over It

Have you ever loved a guy who doesn't love you back, and what you want most in the world is to just stop loving him? Because it hurts too much. Because you know it'll never be the way it used to be. Because he changed and isn't the same guy anymore. So that makes it worse, because you're in love with someone who doesn't even exist anymore. I'm kinda there right now, actually I have been for about 3 years. I've been trying to get over Jon since the day he kissed her, and it was literally impossible for a really long time. I fell into depression. I lost all motivation and drive for everything. But then I moved about 3 hours north, and it helped tremendously. Not seeing him all the time has helped more than anything. And also the fact that he's not the kid I used to love. He's turned into kind of a dick. I'm seriously beginning to get over him. I just needed time. That and distance. It's not nearly as bad as it used to be. Every time I go back, though, and see him, it's like I take a step back. I know we've both changed and it'd never work out and in my head I know that logically he isn't what I want, but then my heart will rear its ugly head and try to tell me different.

"The furthest distance I've ever known is from my head to my heart." That's a lyric from a song, which one I cannot recall at the moment. But I'd say it's more than accurate. I just have to stay strong, pay attention to my head and ignore my heart. That seems like it should be the opposite of what I should do, but it's really the only way. I'm ready to fall for someone else, but I can't do that until I have myself stabilized first. So that's what I'm going to do. Swear off guys until I'm completely mine again, and then protect myself with more valor than I might have in the past.

Pure Bliss

As a child, Christmas was about presents, turkey dinners, and getting to go to the snow. As an adult, Christmas has transformed into a holiday to celebrate family and togetherness. Gifts mean little to me, except for those I give. The holidays are more about getting to spend time alone with your family, and seeing those you might not have in a while. Gathering around the decorated pine tree and watching my nephews tear into the wrapped boxes is a better joy than most. I suppose when I have children of my own the feeling will be similar. Enhanced? Perhaps. Only time will tell.

Experiences differ as we grow older. I can only be grateful for the upbringing my parents gave me. I see the world in a whole new light. Sometimes I long for the ignorant bliss of a child; no worries, no responsibilities, when your biggest offset was having to clean your room. Though I still have many years of growing to do, I think I stand comfortably with where I am in my life.

I'm going to school, working towards my future, living almost independently, am responsible for two little lives other than my own (my dog and cat), and I'm happier than I was this time last year, or even the year before. I'm single, but I'm only 21. I feel no need whatsoever to include a man in my life right now. I think I need to establish my own life first, and then work someone into it.

I have a friend, Lisa, who immerses herself into every guy she's with, border lining obsession. She's extremely co-dependent, and is destroyed every time it doesn't work out. She builds herself around the guy, and as a consequence has nothing to fall back on when it's over. It's extremely unhealthy and I do not condone this behavior. You shouldn't make your boyfriend or girlfriend your entire life. It just turns into shit. Every time. Someone should compliment your life, not take it over.

Back to Christmas subject, it's a little over a month away, and I couldn't be more excited. I favor Fall and Winter, and the weather that comes with it. Trees turn colors, snow powders the ground with a sheet of white, I get to cuddle by the fire with a book and a mug of hot chocolate. Pure Bliss.